What we’ve been up to!

On Friday, February 28, 2025 the RNEDV held a Legislative and Stakeholder Breakfast in Greenfield. Attendees came from Boston, the Berkshires, and from Franklin, Hampshire and Worcester counties to  discuss how rural community-based task forces are working on preventing and ending domestic violence, the need for funding to support community engagement, and the need for state policies that integrate the voices of rural communities.


Here are some pictures from the event, as well as the PowerPoint for the event, and RNEDV Recommendations for Making Rural Communities Safer

A woman speaks at a podium in front of a presentation slide titled "Rural Barriers-Domestic Violence," highlighting issues like lack of public transportation, fewer local services, part-time local police, isolation, and seasonal unemployment.
Group meeting in a conference room with people reading documents.
Group of people in a meeting room standing by a conference table holding papers, with posters on walls.
Presentation slide with text "Voices of rural domestic violence," accompanied by an image of a red barn and a sign that reads "I Believe You."
Two people posing together in a wood-paneled room, smiling at the camera, with others in the background seated at tables. The person on the left is wearing a purple top and headscarf. The person on the right is in a suit with a yellow tie.
Group of people sitting and talking in a conference room with a man in a suit walking by
Two people smiling, sitting close together in a room with a table in the background holding snacks such as bagels. They are both wearing name badges and one person has a long beard.
Two women sitting at a table in a meeting room, one holding a white bottle, with papers and green folders on the table.
Two people smiling at a table, wearing name tags, with others in the background.
Person smiling at a table with a smartphone, notebooks, and pen, surrounded by people in a casual setting.
Woman with curly hair holding a white travel mug, wearing a name badge, standing in front of a wooden background.
Two men posing together at an indoor event, one wearing a suit and tie, and the other in casual attire with a cap and name tag reading 'Phil Barry.'
Two people smiling, standing indoors, both wearing black jackets with a wooden wall and posters in the background.
Two people sitting at a table, smiling, with notebooks and a pen in front of them.
Two women smiling in a professional setting, one wearing a pink shirt with a name tag, and the other in a black jacket.

In April and February 2025, the Ware River Valley DV Task Force and the Ware High School DV Task Force visited all lunch periods for grades 7-12. Students spun a wheel with various questions and then wrote answers to the questions below. They got www.loveisrespect cause bracelets for their participation. We also walked around the lunchroom and gave out “I ask for consent” pens and pins, and gave our bookmarks with QR codes to quizzes from https://www.loveisrespect.org/search-our-resources/ This was an easy project that didn’t ask too much from the school except to set up a table for us. 

A handwritten note on pink paper that reads: "How do I treat other people? I treat other people with respect, with kindness, and with an open mind whether it is my first time meeting you or not! Always be kind! 😊"
Pink paper with handwritten relationship advice saying "I would say to take bad people out of your life."
A handwritten note on purple paper with a question "How do I want to be treated?" followed by a response: "I want to be treated with respect because I don't want to be treated differently" and a small doodle of a smiling cat with a heart.
Handwritten relationship advice on pink paper stating "Relationship advice I would give to a friend is to treat your partner with respect and kindness."
Handwritten advice on pink paper, suggesting to keep an open mind during arguments and emphasizing the importance of self-time.
Purple paper with handwritten relationship advice: "One piece of advice I would give is to never settle for less than what you think you deserve."
A handwritten note on a pink paper titled "What relationship advice would I give a friend?" It lists three points: Make sure everything is equal, respect, and if he treats you bad, dump him.
Text on a purple paper listing qualities of respect, including listening instead of hearing, kind words and hands, transparency and honesty in communication, mutual trust, and asking for or taking advice.
Handwritten note with relationship advice on a pink background.
Handwritten advice on pink paper about relationship tips
Handwritten text on purple paper giving relationship advice: "What relationship advice would you give to a friend? Don't date or be friends with a toxic person."
Handwritten message about respect, reading: "What does respect look like to me? You don't go and be disrespectful toward people."
Purple paper with handwritten relationship advice: "Yelling at each other and name calling is not normal."
Text on a paper: 'What relationship advice would I give a friend?' with handwritten response 'ask for consent.'
Handwritten relationship advice on a pink paper that says: "to be nice to the girl you are dating and ask what they like."
Handwritten advice on a pink paper about relationship boundaries, emphasizing following intuition and leaving if toxicity is present.
Handwritten relationship advice on pink paper that reads: "Think before you act."

In February 2025, the Southern Hilltown DV Task Force sponsored a training on the new MA Coercive Control Law for task force and community members. Esther Tutu from Community Legal Aid did the training. In March, the Ware River Valley DV Task Force held a similar training. Attendees practiced filling out an affidavit after the training – an eye-opening experience for everyone.

Gardner Domestic Violence Task Force visits the High School in February 2025 . . .

Gardner, Ware River Valley, and Southern Hilltowns Task Forces all held Vigils or Walks in October 2025

Southern Hills, October 24, 2025

Group of people holding signs for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in a hall with a banner and American flag.

Gardner DV Task Force Vigil, October 10, 2024

Group of five people wearing purple clothing, holding a fundraiser donation sign, standing in a room with an American flag in the background.
Collage of newspaper clippings with images and articles about domestic violence awareness events, featuring individuals holding signs, addressing crowds, and walking in groups. Includes phrases like 'END ABUSE' and mentions of Redwood City.
Front page of "PENNYSAVER" dated October 24, 2024, featuring articles on domestic violence awareness and community events, with related photos.

Ware River Valley, 9th Annual DV Walk, October 19, 2024

Front page of a newspaper with headline about a domestic violence awareness event, showing a group of people walking in a march.
Group of people holding signs supporting domestic violence awareness in front of a brick building and flagpole on a sunny day.
A group of people participating in a walk, holding signs advocating for domestic violence awareness and healthy relationships. One sign reads "Domestic Violence Task Force," while another says "Healthy Relationships, Each Partner is Treated as an Equal." The event appears to be taking place in a small town with hills in the background.
Group of people holding signs about domestic violence awareness

Southern Hills, Ware, and Gardner DV Task Forces use local community members in their outreach ads. Below are some of the ads we all use on an on-going basis . . .

A police officer standing outdoors in a park, holding a handwritten sign. The sign reads, "Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is brave... even if you stumble a little on your way out the door." The officer has a tattoo on the rig
Group of people standing together outside. Text above reads: "What do we say when someone we know is being abused by their partner?" Below, quotes read: "You are not alone." "There’s an entire community that cares." "We know where you can get help."
Man holding a cardboard sign reading 'You deserve a Healthy LOVE' with contact information for a domestic violence task force.
Three people holding signs supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with text "Gardner Businesses Speak Out."
Poster featuring a man standing against a whiteboard with math problems and text about abuse awareness. It reads: "What do I say when someone I know is being abused?" and "It's not your fault. No one deserves to be hurt in a relationship." Contact nu
Person with gray hair and glasses holding a cardboard sign with the message "You are worthy of a healthy & peaceful life." In the background, part of a building labeled "Elementary School" is visible. There is also contact information for the Souther
Group of staff members at Chester Elementary School, some wearing festive hats, holding signs with the message "The best is yet to come." The background features a mural of a tree and children's books. Below, there's a message offering support from t
Police officer holding a cardboard sign that reads "I Believe You" in front of a police car, promoting domestic violence awareness with contact information for support services.
Huntington Fire Department members standing in front of a fire truck, holding a sign offering support for domestic violence victims. Includes contact info for Hilltown Safety at Home and the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force. QR code pre
Man in blue hoodie holding a cardboard sign with the message "You Are Stronger Than You Know," standing outdoors. Includes contact information for Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force and Hilltown Safety at Home.
Person holding a handwritten note with an encouraging message outdoors.
Flyer about domestic violence resources, with text: "Do you know where to get help if you or someone you know is being hurt by a partner? 74% of Hilltowners do." Includes contact information for Hilltown Safety at Home, Safe Passage, Center for Women
Person smiling and holding a sign that reads "We can make a difference." Books and binders are visible in the background. Contact information for domestic violence support is provided at the bottom of the image.
Five women standing in front of a building holding a cardboard sign that reads 'HELLO... I CAN HELP.' The text on the image provides contact information for the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force, including phone numbers and an email addr
Two women smiling outdoors, one holding a sign saying "You have a Voice!" Below, contact information for the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force is provided.
Smiling woman holding a sign that says, "Please know you are beautiful, you are strong, you are amazing," standing in a wooded area.
Two people standing outside a building holding a sign that reads, "We are here to listen and help." There are contact details for the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force at the bottom.
Group of people holding signs spelling "We Are Here For You" outside a building with a "Village Closet" sign. Text offers support for domestic violence victims via the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force. Contact details and logos included
Person holding a sign spelling 'LOVED' against a forest background, accompanied by supportive text for victims of domestic or sexual violence.
Person holding a handwritten sign that says, "I pray that the victims find peace and strength," while standing outdoors on a balcony with trees in the background.
Woman holding a sign with a supportive message, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.
A person standing outdoors holding a handwritten sign that reads, 'I want the victims to remember they are deserving of respect, safety, compassion and love.' Trees and greenery are visible in the background.
Person holding a sign supporting domestic violence survivors with trees and sky in the background.
Person with arms raised standing in a scenic landscape with wooded hills and a lake, text reads "my life every day DV free! #isawthelight #survivor."
Person holding a paper with text about being part of a beloved community, emphasizing dignity, abundant life, and mutual care.
Two people in red shirts standing beside a wooden structure made of branches, set on a grassy field with trees and a building in the background. Signs on the structure read 'The Golden Rule Matters' and 'Remember Love.'"
Man at control panel with text promoting support for abuse victims, including messages of non-judgment and helpline numbers for organizations like Womanshelter/Compañeras, Safe Passage, and Everywoman’s Center. Public service image from the Ware Dome
Domestic violence awareness poster with a doctor and helpline numbers.
Hanging fabric banner with motivational text "You are stronger than you know. Trust in your warrior power." Flanked by flower illustrations and colorful tassels, surrounded by greenery and sunlight.
Colorful abstract portrait of a woman in a dress with hearts, surrounded by houses and a tree. Text reads "My dream for the future is to be my own person." The image has a blue and white splash effect border.
Woman holding sign spelling 'L O V E D' in nature setting. Text reads: 'My HOPE, WISH, and PRAYER for Those Who Experience Domestic or Sexual Violence is to HEAL, have PEACE, and feel LOVED.'